The tiny boat rocked back and forth, its planks creaking and lines groaning as the water lapped against its sides. Stepping uneasily from the small, single person craft, I set a foot onto the sun bleached and splintering wooden dock. The sky was overcast, the sun blotted out by a canopy of gray and white clouds. My boots drummed on the dock with each step as I walked toward the shore. Behind me was a vast lake of calm water, which fluttered almost silently against the shore. Right up to the water's edge, a heavy drift of snow covered the earth. Bits of grass poked through the permafrost, almost in defiance of the harsh atmosphere, as if protesting the very world they thrived in.
The snow crunched underfoot as I walked toward the trees. A squirrel eyed me curiously; an owl's gaze darted toward me. I knew no trail, but pulled my coat tighter, and walked into the forest. The snow persisted, even under the trees, and I felt my feet sink time and again. I was able to comfort myself, because I knew that each laborious step was one step closer to warmth.
Tree sap and fresh air filled my nostrils, but were soon punctuated by a darker smell. Sulfur and burnt oak: a fire. I was close.
My breath fogged as I came to the small wooden cabin, light illuminating the curtains, casting shadows of flowers and plants. The pillar of smoke, my beckoning, spiraled from the chimney.
With a gloved fist, I rapped on the door. In a moment, it swung open.
Warm air flowed over me, a warm glowing light filled me, and there she was, the subject of my journey. He long, curled red hair hung over her shoulders; her deep hazel eyes stared into mine; her curved body clad in a flowing fur coat.
"I've been waiting for you," she said, flashing a wide smile, revealing a perfect row of ivory white teeth.
I felt my heart jump, my lips curve into a wide, unbreakable smile. A warm glowing feeling in my chest. "I know," I blurted out.
For a moment we stood, staring into each other's gaze, transfixed.
Without a word, she stepped back, and I walked in.
The door closed behind me, and I slid the lock shut. A few lanterns were scatted about, hanging from the rafters, casting a flickering light over the single room. Fire burned a few logs in the brick fireplace, filling the room with warmth.
"I can't believe I've made it."
"I always knew you would," she said confidently, resting her hands on my shoulders.
My hands found their way to her hips, gently pulling her against me. Our eyes were wide, our lips apart, our breath quick. It was sudden, and we hesitated. Our lips were dangerously close, our hearts beating faster as passion took hold. I felt her soft, warm hand curve behind my neck, pulling me toward her.
When I think back on it, it's as though the memory is lost. The exact moment of our lips meeting is vanished, and only the passionate joining is in my mind. My hands wandered over her, bits of ice and snow falling from my clothing as we held each other. Her hand ran through my hair, I peeled my gloves off, her fingers pushed each of my buttons through their buttonholes. I shrugged off my coat, baring my chest, leaving only my trousers and boots.
I felt her hands press against my stripped shoulders, pushing me back onto the deep cushion of the only chair in the cabin. I smiled up at her, and she smiled down on me. As I sat, she unbuttoned her coat, never breaking our stare, and never dropping her smile.
Slowly, her coat opened, and my jaw dropped. A black corset wrapped tightly around her body barely covered her full breasts, and a pair of black panties covered her waist. My wide eyes took in the sight of her body as she dropped the coat in a pile around her bare feet.
"I told you," she said, dragging a lock of hair behind her ear, "I've been waiting for you."
I felt an erection growing in my trousers, pressing against the fly. My fingers curled around the arms of the chair, and I shifted in my seat. She leaned forward, bending one leg to my side, resting it on the chair. My hands wrapped around her, pulling her against me once more, our lips locking again. After all this time, I could finally taste her.